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Vacuum orthosis and associated methods

a technology of vacuum orthosis and associated methods, applied in the field of vacuum orthosis, can solve the problems of insufficient understanding of the value of advice, loss of “fit”, and creation of deformities at the fracture site, and achieve the effect of preventing the loss of firm contact and minimizing and/or eliminating traditional adverse changes

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-10-20
VACUITY
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The present invention includes a vacuum system and orthotic device used in the treatment of fractures to effectively prevent the loss of firm contact between the injured limb and the brace, therefore minimizing and / or eliminating the traditional adverse changes.

Problems solved by technology

Otherwise, the inevitable reduction in the degree of swelling that necessarily follows an injury, produces a loss of “fit” of the brace, resulting in the creation of deformities at the fracture site.
However, compliance with such a request is frequently ignored, or the value of the advice is not truly understood.

Method used

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  • Vacuum orthosis and associated methods
  • Vacuum orthosis and associated methods
  • Vacuum orthosis and associated methods

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Embodiment Construction

[0025] The present invention will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may include different embodiments and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth below. These embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0026] The present invention includes a vacuum system and orthotic device or brace used in the treatment of a body portion, such as a fractured extremity, to effectively prevent the loss of firm contact between the body portion and the device, therefore minimizing, if not eliminating the traditional adverse changes resulting in a loss of fit, for example. The following embodiment is described with respect to a fractured leg; however, the invention applies to various bod...

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Abstract

The vacuum orthotic device includes the use of an inner sleeve, a single or multi-piece shell, and an outer sleeve. The shell is positioned between the sleeves and typically includes a fabric liner or other porous material to act as a wick. A valve is provided in the outer sleeve for drawing air from between the inner and outer sleeves, i.e. to create a vacuum. The sleeves overlap and sealingly contact each other at the proximal and distal ends of the orthotic device. A disconnectable hand-pump or otherwise actuated pump may be used to connect to the valve and draw the vacuum between the sleeves. The device effectively prevents the loss of firm contact between the treatment site and the device.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 532,255 filed on Dec. 23, 2003.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to the field of orthotics, and, more particularly, to an orthotic device including a vacuum feature to effectively prevent the loss of firm contact between the treatment site and the device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Bracing is a technique used with great frequency in the management of a large variety of medical conditions, that is, traumatic, developmental, degenerative and congenital. Braces are used as stabilizing or corrective devices in patients of all ages. Braces are also used to lessen pain and disability as in the case of the painful back, or for the prevention and / or correction of progressive deformities, as in the case of scoliosis. Similarly, they are used for the prevention and control of progression in the case of the osteoporotic spine or the spine a...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A61F5/00A61F5/058
CPCA61F5/05833
Inventor SARMIENTO, AUGUSTOPATTERSON, WILLIAM S.
Owner VACUITY